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My current options are NU with a 60k scholly, and USC with 120k scholly.

COA's (includes some personal savings and parental help already subtracted. The rest will be taken out in loans):
USC: 71k
NU: 143k
(these numbers include loan interest, used Georgetown calculator)

-Where you are from
Grew up on the east coast, but have lived in socal the past five years. Wouldn't mind ending up anywhere, to be honest, although I don't like the idea of having no options beside CA. Right now I'm thinking of aiming for both NY and CA and seeing what comes up.

General career goals
Biglaw, at least to start. Might try to get into government work after a few years.

Numbers
173 (one take), 3.6

Already paid my deposit at NU, and am heavily leaning there at this point. USC deadline is tomorrow night, and I would have to withdraw from NU to accept. Just want to make sure I'm making the right choice before passing up the USC scholly.

I'm also riding a number of T14 waitlists, although I'm not sure I would get money offers if accepted.

Those are your only options? When did you apply?

People with your stats typically get offers and money from Duke and Cornell, and get a little bit of money from NYU.

Yeah seriously I'm your numbers twin and a generally weak applicant and I'm going to nyu with $. Maybe reapply?

USC for california, NW elsewhere.

People with your stats typically get offers and money from Duke and Cornell, and get a little bit of money from NYU.

Prd at Duke and Reserve at Cornell. Maybe something will come up later. I applied to Cornell in January sometime, so that might have something to do with it (although my other apps were earlier).

Yeah seriously I'm your numbers twin and a generally weak applicant and I'm going to nyu with $. Maybe reapply?

Yeah people with my numbers generally get NYU, not sure whats wrong with my app. Anyways I'm WLd there so that will work out.

I would consider reapplying, but I don't have any strong reason to think I'll have better offers next time around.

Late application definitely hurt you here. Don't settle.

cron1834 wrote:Late application definitely hurt you here. Don't settle.

As in reapply?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think something like 80-90k would be my max scholarship at any t14. Considering I already have 60k at NU, I don't think waiting another year for another (potential) 20-30k is really a great idea.

furrrman wrote:

cron1834 wrote:Late application definitely hurt you here. Don't settle.

As in reapply?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think something like 80-90k would be my max scholarship at any t14. Considering I already have 60k at NU, I don't think waiting another year for another (potential) 20-30k is really a great idea.

I think you could be wrong. With an early application and some negotiation you have a shot at significant schollies at Cornell and NU. I'd ED NU ($150k if you get it) and apply RD at Cornell, early.

You're definitely right on passing on USC. I agree with other posters here that 173/3.6 in this climate seems like it should've gotten you something better, but b/c you're below GPA median maybe 100K+ is not likely. I think some of those WL's may play out in your favor; 173 is a desirable score for lots of schools.

I don't think going to NU with 140k in debt is terrible. Are you straight through? Do you have backup plans if you don't attend this year?

.

.

bowser wrote:You're definitely right on passing on USC. I agree with other posters here that 173/3.6 in this climate seems like it should've gotten you something better, but b/c you're below GPA median maybe 100K+ is not likely. I think some of those WL's may play out in your favor; 173 is a desirable score for lots of schools.

I don't think going to NU with 140k in debt is terrible. Are you straight through? Do you have backup plans if you don't attend this year?

I'm an older candidate but graduating UG this semester (took a long break in my UG time). No backup plans at the moment. I'm sure I could figure out something to do for a year, but I don't think it would necessarily be great/amazing. Job prospects aren't that good for a philosophy major from a no name school.

And yeah, I'm kinda holding out WL hope.

cron1834 wrote:I think you could be wrong. With an early application and some negotiation you have a shot at significant schollies at Cornell and NU. I'd ED NU ($150k if you get it) and apply RD at Cornell, early.

I mean, I was accepted to NU early enough to get money in the first round of scholarships, so I don't have any reason to believe I would get more next time. And ED is typically given to candidates above both medians. I remember checking LSN and seeing some splitters that got ED (I might be wrong) but betting one year on that doesn't seem like the best prospect.

Cornell, yeah, could be a great option. But again, suppose I got 90k at Cornell, I'm not sure waiting another year is worth the 30k.

.

I'm on a mobile device - someone plug OP's numbers into LSN. I'm almost certain that the average award at NU is higher, plus OP is definitely in the mix for ED $150k, not to mention CCN.

Also, OP, I think you're presuming that you're forfeiting away $160k in income by sitting out a year. You're not. Biglaw is never guaranteed, the average career is short, and you don't how you'll even like being a lawyer.

Do what you must, but I think you're leaving good opportunities on the table.

Small sample size alert to be sure, but come on dude. The fact that USC is even an option here suggests that shit has gone astray.

Full disclosure: I am tispy after having brews with DeputyDog tonight.

cron1834 wrote:
Full disclosure: I am tispy after having brews with DeputyDog tonight.

jealous

IPAs 4 lyfe.

OP, if you reapply and get more $$, I think I should get a 10% cut of the difference. It's only fair.

cron1834 wrote:IPAs 4 lyfe.

OP, if you reapply and get more $$, I think I should get a 10% cut of the difference. It's only fair.

Tell him to go to CLS - Ithaca Campus.
#NYULSFriendsgiving2015

I really think that COA at NU is decent. You'd definitely have a shot at more $ next cycle, but waiting a year for what might realistically be $0-$25K in additional scholly is a risky bet (especially when considering missed earning potential and/or not having a meaningful salary in the interim).

But don't go USC! NU wins hands down in terms of jobs/Biglaw.